Edgar Daniel Nixon, was one of the forgotten, yet key, figures of the civil rights movement. His efforts and contributions played a key role in the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as well as the defense of Rosa Parks, a similar case to that of Browder vs. Gale. He was even described by Martin Luther King Jr. as "One of the chief voices of the Negro community in the area of civil rights" and "a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the the long oppressed people of Alabama."
Early Life
Edgar Daniel Nixon was born on July 12th, 1889, to Wesley M. Nixon and Sue Ann Chappell Nixon in Lowndes County, Alabama, although he spent most of his youth in Montgomery. At a young age, Nixon lost his mother and went to live with several family members along with his seven siblings. He received very little formal education, only 16 months, because most black students were ill-served in the segregated public school system. In the early 1920’s, Nixon worked in a train station baggage room, where eventually his position rose to a Pullman sleeping car porter, which at the time was a desirable occupation for African Americans due to the higher wages and the travel opportunities presented to them. Pullman sleeping car porters generally were included in the small middle class of black America. This job introduced him to BSCP, a union that advocated better wages and working conditions for black railway workers, where he met their influential leader, Philip A. Randolph. He is credited for giving Nixon the inspiration to become an activist. In 1926, him and his first wife, Alease (who died in 1934), had a son, E. D. Nixon Jr. (1928-2011) who became an actor whose stage name was Nick La Tour. His second wife, Arlette Nixon, became an ally at his side in the Montgomery civil rights movement.
Involvement
E. D. Nixon With Rosa Parks going to Court
Over the course of his whole life, Edgar Daniel Nixon dedicated all of his time to fighting against segregation and the oppression of black Americans during the civil rights movement. For three decades, Nixon worked for the NAACP as a labor leader and political organizer before heading the Alabama branch of the NAACP himself. In 1955, Nixon worked to bail Rosa Parks out of jail after she was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus to a white man. Later, both Nixon and Parks would be influential to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. Once his work with Rosa was finished, Nixon spent his remaining years fighting for better living conditions for African Americans as well as developing different programs with various civil rights leaders that would help African American youths get into school and keep out of trouble.
Achievements, Awards, and Acknowledgements
E. D. Nixon seated in a chair during an interview, Peppler, James, September 1965
Nixon is credited for many accomplishments within his activist life.
Nixon’s long and impressive list of accomplishments include efforts to organize the Montgomery Welfare league, he reorganized and led the Montgomery Branch of the NAACP, and he made a personal appeal to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt which led to the establishment of a USO Club in Montgomery for Black military personal during World War II. Nixon convinced department stores to install toilets for African Americans and he led early efforts to desegregate public schools in Montgomery, Alabama. After trying for ten years, Nixon became a registered voter, and then organized the Montgomery Voter League, he also took on the leadership of the Progressive Democratic Association. Nixon ran for a seat on the County Democratic Executive Committee, only to loose by a few votes. Later in life Nixon focused his attention on children, organizing the Summer Olympics, and securing the sponsorship of the United Parcel Service. He received the NAACP's Walter White Award for his public service in 1987. A year before his death, Nixon’s house in Montgomery was placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. In 2001, the Montgomery County Public School System named an elementary school in his honor.
E. D. Nixon at Rally
Edgar Daniel Nixon, was one of the forgotten, yet key, figures of the civil rights movement. His efforts and contributions played a key role in the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as well as the defense of Rosa Parks, a similar case to that of Browder vs. Gale. He was even described by Martin Luther King Jr. as "One of the chief voices of the Negro community in the area of civil rights" and "a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the the long oppressed people of Alabama."
Early Life
Edgar Daniel Nixon was born on July 12th, 1889, to Wesley M. Nixon and Sue Ann Chappell Nixon in Lowndes County, Alabama, although he spent most of his youth in Montgomery. At a young age, Nixon lost his mother and went to live with several family members along with his seven siblings. He received very little formal education, only 16 months, because most black students were ill-served in the segregated public school system. In the early 1920’s, Nixon worked in a train station baggage room, where eventually his position rose to a Pullman sleeping car porter, which at the time was a desirable occupation for African Americans due to the higher wages and the travel opportunities presented to them. Pullman sleeping car porters generally were included in the small middle class of black America. This job introduced him to BSCP, a union that advocated better wages and working conditions for black railway workers, where he met their influential leader, Philip A. Randolph. He is credited for giving Nixon the inspiration to become an activist. In 1926, him and his first wife, Alease (who died in 1934), had a son, E. D. Nixon Jr. (1928-2011) who became an actor whose stage name was Nick La Tour. His second wife, Arlette Nixon, became an ally at his side in the Montgomery civil rights movement.
Involvement
E. D. Nixon With Rosa Parks going to CourtOver the course of his whole life, Edgar Daniel Nixon dedicated all of his time to fighting against segregation and the oppression of black Americans during the civil rights movement. For three decades, Nixon worked for the NAACP as a labor leader and political organizer before heading the Alabama branch of the NAACP himself. In 1955, Nixon worked to bail Rosa Parks out of jail after she was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus to a white man. Later, both Nixon and Parks would be influential to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. Once his work with Rosa was finished, Nixon spent his remaining years fighting for better living conditions for African Americans as well as developing different programs with various civil rights leaders that would help African American youths get into school and keep out of trouble.
Achievements, Awards, and Acknowledgements
E. D. Nixon seated in a chair during an interview, Peppler, James, September 1965
Nixon is credited for many accomplishments within his activist life.
Nixon’s long and impressive list of accomplishments include efforts to organize the Montgomery Welfare league, he reorganized and led the Montgomery Branch of the NAACP, and he made a personal appeal to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt which led to the establishment of a USO Club in Montgomery for Black military personal during World War II. Nixon convinced department stores to install toilets for African Americans and he led early efforts to desegregate public schools in Montgomery, Alabama. After trying for ten years, Nixon became a registered voter, and then organized the Montgomery Voter League, he also took on the leadership of the Progressive Democratic Association. Nixon ran for a seat on the County Democratic Executive Committee, only to loose by a few votes. Later in life Nixon focused his attention on children, organizing the Summer Olympics, and securing the sponsorship of the United Parcel Service. He received the NAACP's Walter White Award for his public service in 1987. A year before his death, Nixon’s house in Montgomery was placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. In 2001, the Montgomery County Public School System named an elementary school in his honor.